The meeting began with the approval of the March 3rd meeting minutes, March 7th Executive Session meeting minutes, claims, and payroll.
Sheriff Meyerrose received approval for County Rd 250W road closure from May 29th- June 9 for mandatory training for the sheriff’s department and other departments. Sheriff Meyerrose received approval to apply for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Grant for $56,000 for overtime for road deputies to patrol to reduce accidents on the road and reduce driving under the influence.
Doug Westerfeld, Area Plan Director provided an update on the blight project. Currently they are working on reviewing and making edits to the unsafe building ordinance and the fines and fees ordinance. Doug stated that they are looking to make the ordinances clearer and to provide enforcement rights to the Area Plan department. Doug stated that with these changes the attorney that the Area Plan department works with will have the ability to prosecute civil cases. Doug provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan and steering committee. He said that they met last week with SIRPC to discuss a grant opportunity to help fund the review and revisions that they will be doing to the Comprehensive Plan. They will begin seeking an Engineering Firm with a publication date of May 6, 2025. Once that is completed, they will begin to recruit community members to be a part of the Comprehensive Plan Committee. The goal is to have the revised Comprehensive Plan completed by November 2026.
The commissioners awarded the lawn care bid for the courthouse to Tommy’s Lawn Care based in Osgood, IN due to their lower bid.
The commissioners decided to give an offer of employment to applicant #2 for the County Maintenance Position. They had 3 applicants that all commissioners agreed were great candidates, but they felt that the second one was the best for the position. It was stated that during all three interviews the salary being below what they were expecting was brought up. The commissioners state that they will learn more about what the applicant is requesting as a salary and that they may need to discuss with the County Council increasing the salary.
Rob Dehoff, Decatur County Parks & Recreation Department updated the commissioners on the progress going on at the diamonds. He states that the front four fields have turf and are getting finishing touches. He stressed that USSSA has signed an agreement to guarantee 15 tournaments per year for 5 years. Rob thanked the Parks Department for their hard work on getting the bathrooms and the concession area cleaned and painted. Rob said that he has been requesting and receiving bids for black top for the parking area that was discussed as being paved. Rob stated that he is working diligently to seek partners to help get the back diamonds completed with turf. He said that he is still in discussions with the Decatur County Community Foundation. Rob stated that the Greensburg City Council decided not to contribute.
Commissioner President Jeremy Pasel stated, “I think we need to do the back four diamonds. It’s unfortunate that the city did not get on board with the project.” Jeremy went on to explain that he would like to debunk that the diamonds in Decatur County would be used as what has been called a “back up site.” Rob stated that this is incorrect, and that the county would be the main location for all tournaments that have been promised per the contract. Commissioner Brian Wenning stated that this is going to be a benefit to the community. This is going to be an opportunity for local kids to have the opportunity to play on diamonds that are in tip top shape. Commissioner Wenning also stated that completing this project he wants to make sure that Decatur County residents have access to utilize the diamonds and at the same time protecting the investments that have been made. Rob stated that the Parks Department has made investments into software to schedule use of the diamonds online and that they can make it were county residents reserve the space. Rob also added that above all the area Recreational Leagues will have priority for use at the facility.
During discussions it was pointed out that the project has received funding from the County Council members using APRA funding, Decatur County TIF Board, City of Greensburg TIF Board, and Decatur County Commissioners using EDIT funding.
Commissioner President Jeremy Pasel said that he had done some digging and found that within the counties budgets there was a line item that states- Build Decatur County which he feels would be a great fund to use to fill the shortfall to get the back four diamonds done. Jeremy states that the fund has not been used very much in the past 5 years and in fact was not touched last year. The appropriation for 2025 was $281,200. The commissioners voted to approve the use of these funds to fill the gap to complete the back four diamonds with the understanding that the project is needing approximately $200,000 to finish. Jeremy added that Rob would have to go to the County Council meeting to get their approval before the money could be used.
Todd Houk, Highway Department stated that his department continues to perform general maintenance. He spoke about an upcoming training opportunity that Department of Natural Resources has invited both he and his team to Henryville to participate in.
Court Services received the approval to proceed with grant applications for two grants.
Paul Pank, President of the Arc of Decatur County thanked the commissioners for their continuing partnership and contribution to the Arc of Decatur County. Paul said that the organization provides supports and activity opportunities to individuals. Paul added that the funding provided only goes to provide support to those living in Decatur County.
The commissioners approved the YMCA pay app #2 for $31,008.71. This was for the pass-through grant for the roof replacement at the YMCA.
Zach Hughes, SRI came to the commissioners to discuss tax sales and commissioners’ sales. He added that depending on tax sales they sometimes have properties that did not sell and those become certificate/deed sales. Zach stated that sometimes Decatur County has four or five properties. Zach stated that the commissioners have two options- certificate sale or deed sale. Currently the inventory shows 23 properties with 21 of those located at Lake McCoy. Commissioner Pasel said that this could be included under the blight property program.
The commissioners awarded CCMG-2 to Dave O’Mara. The commissioners took fuel and stone bids under advisement and those would be awarded at the next commissioners meeting. The commissioners approved the pipes and culvert bid to CivilCon.
